Cradle and means for rocking the same.



s; DVVANDERBURGH. I CRADLE AND MEANS FORROCKING THE SAME.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 4. I909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

l V T/VESSES I 52%;:5? I.

Patented May 29, l9l7.-

s. D.'VANDERBURGH. CRADLE AND MEANS FOR ROCKING THE-SAMELQ APPLICATION FILED FEB- 4'. 1909.

Patfited May 29,1917.

7 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

S E S S M 7 Q W kw UIT STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SHELDON D. VANDERBURGH, OF H ASTINGS-UPON-HUDSON, NEW YORK.

CRADLE AND MEANS FOR ROCKING THE SAME. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 4, 1909. Serial No. 476,000.

which is simple in construction and efficient in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a suspended cradle adapted to swing like a pendulum and power actuated means for swinging the same.

A further object is to provide asuspended cradle capable or rocking or swinging not only about the axis of its suspension but also about its own axis and relative to its suspending means.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter. I

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location, and relative arrangement, of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawa Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of a cradle constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention.

Flg. 2 is an end view of the same.

Reference sign A, designates the body of the cradle. This may be of any suitable or convenient construction. While not desiring to be limited thereto, Ihave shown, and in practice prefer to use a hammock netting for this purpose, which may be ofthe desired length for the'purpos'e required. The cradle body is connected at its ends to the end pieces or plates B. These may be of any suitable material, such as wood, steel, aluminum or the like, and preferably, though not necessarily, are in the form of circular disks or plates. This form is desired as thereby the hammock shape ofthe cradle is maintained. The end pieces or plates B, are supported at their centers by pivot bolts or swivel ins C, in the lower or free ends of suspen ed rods or hangers D, so as to be capable of rocking or swinging, relative to said hanger-or suspending arms D, and upon the axis of the pivot bolts or swivel pins C. The rods D, are suspended from a rock shaft F, journaled to rock in bearings in the upper ends of vertical standards E, which ifdesired are connected together to form a frame work in any suitable manner. Any suitable or convenient form or construction of motor may be provided for rocking shaft F, whereby the cradle supported on the suspending rods D will be rocked or swung back and forth after the fashion of a pendulum. I have shown a simple arrangement of motor for rocking shaft F, and comprising a spring motor G for rotating a crank H, having connection through a rod or pitman I, with a crank arm J, on the shaft F, whereby, the rotation of crank H imparts a rocking movement to shaft F, thereby swinging the suspending rods or arms D, and the cradle. The extent of the swinging movement thus imparted to the cradle may be regulated or varied, as may be desired, as for instance, by connecting the pitman rod I, to the crank arm J, at a point nearer to or farther from the axis of shaft F. A convenient arrangement for accomplishing this is shown wherein the crank arm J, is provided with a series of holes into any one of which the-bent end of the pitman rod I may be inserted. By

Patented May 29, 1917.

this arrangement it will be seen that when desired the swinging movement of the pendulum cradle may be permitted to die gradually after being once set in swinging motion,

by merely detaching the pitman rod I, from:

the crank arm J. Y

Each of the end plates B, is provided with two hinged or pivoted peripheral sections or portions U, which may be rocked or swung outwardly into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, or folded upon the main portion of the end plates, as indicated in full lines in the same figure of the drawings, the portions U, being hinged to the end pieces B, at very nearly diametrically opposite points, as shown. A portion of the ends of the main body A, of the cradle being attached to the hinged sections U, the cradle may be readily and easily opened up to receive with ease the bedding, pillow or other article as well as the baby, and then closed again by folding the sections U, back in place. When in their closed position the sections U, may be locked or secured in any suitable manner, as, for instance, by the hooks R, or other suitable fastener. The

pivoted sections U, may be prevented from swinging too far when opened up, and this may be accomplished in any sultable manner, as, for instance, by means of the connecting cords or chains S. The side edges of the body part A of the cradle, are secured to rods Q, which extend from one end plate B, to the other. Where hinged sections U, are employed, these rods are earned at their ends by the respective free ends of the hinged parts U, as shown.

If desired, and in order to properlyspread and maintain the suspending rods D apart, a spreader bar N, may be attached at its ends to the rods D. The rods D are pro vided with a series of holes P, into any of whichthe cradle supporting pintles C, or the ends of the spreader rod- N, may be attached, thus providing for adjustment of these parts as to the height thereof.

In place of the spreader rod N, or in addition thereto, rods T, may be extended between the head or end plates B, and arranged on opposite sides of the cradle. If desired the hinged portions U, may be held securely in their closed position and against sidewise motion, by means of dowel pins M carried by the end pieces B, and entering seats formed in the pieces U.

As above stated the cradle rocks about the axis of its end supporting pintles C, and with reference to the suspending rods D. To prevent an excessive degree of swinging movement of the cradle 13, relative to the rods D, I provide the head or end plates B, with stop pins O, adapted to engage the rods D, and limit the rocking movement of the cradle on its own axis.

In order to reduce the friction of the swinging movement of the cradle with reference to its supporting rod D, I provide bearing rollers L, interposed between the rods D, and the end pieces B.

A swinging cradle embodying the construction and arrangement above described, is exceedingly simple and eflicient in opera tion. The hammock body of the cradle may be opened up to enable the child or pillows or other objects to be placed therein and then closed again so as to prevent the contents from rolling or falling out. The position of the occupant of the cradle may be changed without affecting the swinging movement of the cradle since the cradle body is mounted to rock on the pivotal axis of its connection with the swinging suspending rods. This arrangement also pre vents the contents of the hammock body from rolling from side to side at'the limits hinged of swinging movement as would be the case if the cradle body had rigid connect on w the swinging rods.

A construction such as described also affords efiicient means for applying a fly netting so as to protect the occupant of the cradle from annoyance of flies, mosquitos or the like, without danger of unduly excluding a free circulation of air. Many'variations and changes in details might readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction embodying the principles thereof, and having described the same and the mode of operation thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. A rocking cradle including a supporting frame having swinging rods suspended therefrom, and spaced apart from each other, plates pivotally supported at their centers respectively on said swinging rods at the lower free ends thereof, and a hammock body supported by and between said plates, said plates havinghinged peripheral sections to which portions of the ends of the hammock body are connected.

2. A rocking cradle including a supporting frame having swinging rods suspended therefrom, and spaced apart from each other, plates pivotally supported upon and at the free ends of said rods and having peripheral sections; rods connecting the free ends of the hinged sections of the one plate with the corresponding free ends of the sections of the other plate, and a hammock body secured at its ends to said plates and having portions thereof secured to said hinged sections, said hammock body being connected at its edges to said rods.

3. A rocking cradle including a supporting frame, swinging rods suspended therefrom spaced apart from each other, plates pivotally supported at their centers at the lower ends of said swinging rods to rock thereon,'a hammock body suspended at its ends upon said plates, and stops to limit the extent of swinging movement of said plates upon said rods.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, on this 2nd day of February, A. D. 1909.

SHELDON D. VANDERBURGI-I.

Witnesses:

J. H. CLEIN, S. C. DARBY.

7 Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

